Anatomical measurement of sole thickness in cattle following application of two different trimming techniques

DescriptionThin soles with complications and lameness have become a major problem in large dairies within the US. The cause is multifactorial, including excessive removal of sole horn during maintenance claw trimming procedures. This study compared sole horn thickness after trimming, using two commonly practiced trimming methods. Results showed that an adaptation of the Dutch trimming method resulted in significantly fewer thin soles as compared to the second method where the white line was used as an appraisal for sole horn thickness

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